What then will this child become?

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O Little Town of Bethlehem

Salt of the Sound

Today is Tuesday the 23rd of December, in the 4th week of Advent.

Salt of the Sound sings, ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’. What hopes and fears would you like Christ to meet with today?

O little town of Bethlehem

How still we see thee lie

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting light

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight

How silently, how silently

The wondrous gift is giv'n

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of His heav'n

No ear may hear His coming

But in this world of sin

Where meek souls will receive Him still

The dear Christ enters in

O holy Child of Bethlehem

Descend to us, we pray

Cast out our sin and enter in

Be born in us today

We hear the Christmas angels

The great glad tidings tell

O come to us, abide with us

Our Lord Emmanuel

3:50

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 1:57-66

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.

On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, ‘No; he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘None of your relatives has this name.’ Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbours, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, ‘What then will this child become?’ For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.

5:53

In this reading comes an important celebration of naming. All expected that this first-born’s naming would continue the family line. It is Elizabeth, who believed in what God was doing, who first announces he is to be called John. Be with Elizabeth as her neighbours and relatives react with disbelief.

Like Elizabeth, has there been a time for you where God has invited you to do the unexpected or out of the ordinary? How was God with you through it?

As you hear the story again, notice the faithfulness of Elizabeth and Zechariah that causes people around them to question and wonder at God’s doing.

8:53

Luke 1:57-66

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.

On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, ‘No; he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘None of your relatives has this name.’ Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbours, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, ‘What then will this child become?’ For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.

10:41

Perhaps speak with God about how your heart responds to this witness of Elizabeth and Zechariah in following God’s prompting.

12:35

O Wisdom

Lord and Ruler

Root of Jesse

Key of David

Rising Sun

King of the Nations

Emmanuel

Come, Lord Jesus